September 02, 2019 | 10 min read

Humans of MacKeeper: Dyatel, Design Thinking Team Lead

Humans of MacKeeper is a series of interviews with our team. We talked to engineers, designers, product managers, analysts, marketeers, and many others to take you backstage at MacKeeper. We believe that people are the heart of any business, and we want you to meet the heart of ours. Welcome behind-the-scenes!

Nickname: Dyatel

Position: Design Thinking Team Lead

Random fact: If Dyatel could swap places with any employee in the company, this would be a barista—just to help her relax and get unlimited access to coffee.

Let’s travel back to your first day at work. What was it like?

Well, it was 3 years ago. After finishing Product School, I joined the marketing department at Kromtech. I started working with Rum, former Head of Consumer Marketing. We always had tons of things to do. At first, it all seemed quite absurd for me: systems, serious business, challenging tasks. But as I dove deeper, I understood that I happen to work with a company of cool people, always willing to share their knowledge and energy.

Did you hesitate before accepting a job offer?

No, there was no doubt. But there was some inner anxiety—the feeling that many challenges were waiting for me. Many things were going to change—new people, experiences, and tasks. But, after all, everything happened the way it should, and I’m glad about that.

Your nickname is Dyatel. What does it mean for you?

When I was a child, I went to the camp. There was a nice tradition: everyone needed to come up with a creative middle name. We had a rule—the funnier the nickname, the cooler it is. Probably, that’s the reason we had a Giant-Killer-Whale, a Purulent-Bearded-Man, and many other cool options. Sure thing, Dyatel (En.—Woodpecker) was a perfect match for this so-called ‘zoo’. [laughing]

At Kromtech, it was easy with this nickname, because I never had to repeat it twice. If you meet a dude with the nickname Woodpecker, you will remember him for sure.

Let’s talk business. What team you are a part of? What role does your team play for MacKeeper?

Our team is relatively new. It was formed when we realized that we needed to invest time and resources in Design Thinking. Because without it, it is difficult to become better in what we do thus keeping in mind who we do it for.

Our team is about people from different fields and backgrounds. All together, we can evaluate and assess what we do from different angles. Though we are still a relatively new team, all of us have a spark. There’s nothing that motivates better than people who follow their fire.

Your role in the project.

I lead Design Thinking. In our team, we believe in the concept of shared leadership. We are now at the stage of determining what shared leadership is and how we can implement it. Therefore, I have quite a dual role, which implies not only facilitating or organizing the process, but also making some decisions. This is quite interesting, yet challenging. It makes you think a little more in order to understand what kind of person you should be to make the team work better as a whole.

Describe your typical day at work.

Stand-up is the first thing in the morning. It helps us write a task plan for the day, pick a project that is closer to one’s heart, and dive right into work. Throughout the day, we synchronize several times to catch up on the progress. If we see that anything goes wrong and feel like we are drowning on the Titanic—we take a break. Then we get together and ask ourselves, what are we actually doing and how important is it? That helps us get back to work with a more productive and structured flow.

What are your most and least favorite tasks?

All-in-all, the tasks related to the organization of the process are a little less interesting. You argue with people about how you can work better with each other. This is not always constructive, but really fun, especially if you assess it from a philosophical standpoint.

Communication with users is among my most favorite tasks. That’s because it is very important to see and understand the person you are making the product for. Plus, I really like the analysis. Maybe because I have a degree in System Analysis. That is one of the reasons I like to think in systems.

Name a few character traits or skills that are necessary for your job.

Stress resistance. The win-win attitude. An ability to follow you fire, because if there’s nothing that drives you, you will get tired very quickly.

If you could choose any superpower to help you with your job, what would it be?

Be silent and listen to people, that’s really a superpower. You either listen to a person to hear them or you listen to a person to answer them—the first is way more complicated than the second.

Describe your job in three words.

Office is like home

I already associate this place with a second home. Throughout all three years, I see the same people. We have some kind of a special bond. We understand each other quite well—which is quite rare in our world right now.

Challenges

Yes, lots of challenges are always waiting for me here. It will never be easy, and yet, it is always cool.

Change

Kromtech is a place where you can grow and change. It is full of open minded people who are ready to get together and move in one direction—towards shared goals and new achievements.

Is there something about your job you feel proud of?

I am proud that with the product that we have today, we are open to change. We face our problems and fears and we dare to keep moving on, even if the route suggests changing direction.

On days when you lack motivation for work, what helps you to pull yourself up and do it?

Well, such situations do occur. What helps me get out? I start doing something with the team. Together, you somehow quickly sort out all the garbage that is in your head.

What is your personal anti-stress recipe? How do you recharge after a busy week at work?

In fact, my parents are building a house. Whenever there is a chance, I will visit them and help with the construction. That is so-called physical relaxation.

If you could swap places with any employee in the company for one month, who would this be? Why?

I wish I could swap places with our barista, to let her relax a bit, and to get unlimited access to coffee. [laughing]

Now imagine you got the job offer of your dreams. It’s too good to reject, so you’re leaving. What piece of advice would you give the company and your team before you head out?

I would probably wish all the guys who remain lots of patience, as that is the key to all doors. At the same time, you should never lose your inner anger, because if you do, you may eventually become too soft.

If we don’t breathe a word about what drives us nuts, we will never be able to come to what we want. Let’s not forget that building happiness is what we are all here for and do whatever is possible to achieve it.